How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

I have an 18k gold bracelet from the 1960's or 1970's that is heavy 30 grams of 18k gold and marked 353 VI 750. Because of the VI I thought it might be a Roberto Coin, but the nunbers say 353, not 1226 (1226 VI is his trademark). Does anybody know who the trademark 353 VI belongs to? I'm trying to insert three images, hope I succeed.

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

VI stands for Vicenza, Italy. The number tells what shop there made the piece.

From a prior post by Allopapallo:

"I am Italian, so I reply. Gold items in Italy are hallmarked with 2 hallmarks, the law requires them to be the makers ID and the gold purity (framed).

One mark is the manifacturer, and it is a number (registry numer of the firm) and 2 letters (province where the firm is registered). E.g. 275AL means the maker is the 275th firm in the trade registry of the city of Alessandria. Here I read 836VI and VI is the ID of Vicenza, the "capital" of gold production in Italy.

However, there has to be also the second mark, for gold purity, regardless of the maker's ID. It is always framed, like <750>."

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

I don't think it will make any difference to know the manufacturer. If it was a big name brand that contracted with that shop in Vicenza to make the bracelet, they would have stamped their trademark along side.

For instance, you mentioned Roberto Coin. He may use that one shop you mentioned to make his jewelry, but everything with that shop number on it may not be made for Roberto Coin, unless it also has his stamp. They might make jewelry for other jewelery stores too.

So your bracelet will not sell for more just knowing what shop in Italy made it, if it's not a name brand.

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

How can I find if it's a name brand? I mentioned Roberto Coin because he doesn't write "Roberto Coin" but 1226 VI, so maybe this designer does the same, writes 353 VI but happens to be a big name designer. (I hope so).

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

I just looked up Roberto Coin, and he is an unusual case. He started a shop where he only made jewelry for other designers. Then he designed his own line and became famous. So the 1226 VI is his own shop, although since he made jewelry for other designers, early pieces marked 1226 VI may not be his designs. Looking at other jewelry on ebay, his modern pieces are stamped with 1226 VI, along with "Roberto Coin" or a ruby embedded inside.

I work in a jewelry store, and we get Italian chains once in a while from US importers. They are marked similar to yours, with no name stamped. They are considered generic designs, good quality, but not designer items. But perhaps there is another shop like Roberto Coin's that became famous.

I have no idea where to find the Italian registry of jewelry makers. I tried googling it, but nothing came up. Maybe you could ask Allopapallo directly, who comes on this board once in a while.

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

This is a link to a directory of Italian silversmiths, 353 is mid-way down. Don't know if the number for SILVERsmiths is the same as the registration for GOLDsmiths, but it might be a start for research for you.

Re: How to identify maker of 18k gold bracelet 353 VI 750? Thanks.

In Italy, jewelry shops must be registered. jewelry makers might have made their jewelry at several of these shops, therefore, unless the jewelry maker signed it, anyone could have made the piece. The number, 353 is the shop where it was made. I am not an expert. Just had looked it up because I have a piece with the shop number also. Probably made 40's- 60's.